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United Nations Day tribute at Fairfield University features speaker from UN Secretariat

Clergy, community leaders, international students, Fairfield University Pace/Barone scholars, and Fairfield Area Poets and educators will gather at Fairfield University on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. in a UN Day tribute to the United Nations hosted by the Fairfield University Media Center in conjunction with the United Nations Association.

Westport resident Willard Hass, UN Secretariat, Department of Public Information, will deliver the keynote address, which will be an update on the United Nations.

Fr. James Mayzik, S.J., director of the Media Center at Fairfield University, will open the celebration with a moment of silent prayer for peace, with all faiths requested to be present. Veterans, Auxiliary and Scouts will then lead a salute to the flag. First Selectman Kenneth Flatto will read a UN Day Proclamation.

"As UN Day chair for about 50 years, I greatly appreciate the First Selectman of Fairfield and other area town officials issuing a UN Day Proclamation as recommended," said Rose Marie Pace Barone, UN Day chair in Fairfield, local and state President Emeritus United Nations Association and the area UNICEF Center Chair.

The 2003 proclamation reads in part:

"This year, 2003, marks the 58th Anniversary of the United Nations (now 191 nations - Switzerland and Timor are the latest to join); the 57th birthday of UNICEF (the Children's Fund); and the 47th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. The themes are "Clean Water for the World; Women Refugees - A Decade Against Intolerance; and A Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World."

The tribute program will include poetry and songs about peace and a better world. International students will be introduced to the community. The program will close with a song written by Ms. Barone, entitled "Giving," which honors Harry Belafonte, a UNICEF ambassador. A taping of the song was given to UNICEF at its request.

Participants must make reservations by Oct. 18, and can call Ms. Barone mornings, at 259-3850. The Oct. 24 program can be viewed at the Media Center on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 4 p.m. and is open to the general public. No reservations are required. The program can also be viewed on Channel 77, Oct. 27 through Oct. 30, at noon.